Hans Sedlmeier’s Long Service

The Disappearance of Josef Mengele

This flow follows Hans Sedlmeier’s transformation from childhood friend into Josef Mengele’s essential courier, financial intermediary, and custodian of the secret.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Trusted Friend A Trusted Friend from "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele". A Trusted Friend Early confidence Hans Sedlmeier was Josef Mengele’s childhood friend and a confidant of the industrialist family.

A Trusted Friend from "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele". A Trusted Friend Early confidence Hans Sedlmeier was Josef Mengele’s childhood friend and a confidant of the industrialist family.

A Trusted Friend Early confidence Hans Sedlmeier was Josef Mengele’s childhood friend and a confidant of the industrialist family. Their relationship gave him unusual access to the family’s private affairs. A lasting obligation After the war, that trust became a channel through which Josef Mengele could request money and assistance. Friendship became entangled with concealment.

Aid in Hiding Aid in Hiding from "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele". Aid in Hiding Recovery and contact Hans Sedlmeier helped Josef Mengele recover papers and specimens and maintained contact during the years in Bavaria.

Aid in Hiding from "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele". Aid in Hiding Recovery and contact Hans Sedlmeier helped Josef Mengele recover papers and specimens and maintained contact during the years in Bavaria.

Aid in Hiding Recovery and contact Hans Sedlmeier helped Josef Mengele recover papers and specimens and maintained contact during the years in Bavaria. He helped keep the fugitive connected to family resources. Departure arrangements Before Josef Mengele left Europe, Hans Sedlmeier returned his briefcase with money inside. Practical loyalty helped make the escape to Argentina possible.

The European Meeting The European Meeting from "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele". The European Meeting A dangerous reunion Hans Sedlmeier met Josef Mengele at Geneva and brought him to Engelberg, where Martha and Rolf were waiting.

The European Meeting from "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele". The European Meeting A dangerous reunion Hans Sedlmeier met Josef Mengele at Geneva and brought him to Engelberg, where Martha and Rolf were waiting.

The European Meeting A dangerous reunion Hans Sedlmeier met Josef Mengele at Geneva and brought him to Engelberg, where Martha and Rolf were waiting. The visit combined family reunion with the risk of returning to Germany. Rescue after a crash When a traffic accident drew police attention in Munich, Hans Sedlmeier joined the delegation that helped resolve the matter. Josef Mengele left Europe again the next day.

The Brazilian Courier The Brazilian Courier from "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele". The Brazilian Courier Maintaining the link Hans Sedlmeier carried money and messages between Germany and Josef Mengele’s Brazilian protectors.

The Brazilian Courier from "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele". The Brazilian Courier Maintaining the link Hans Sedlmeier carried money and messages between Germany and Josef Mengele’s Brazilian protectors.

The Brazilian Courier Maintaining the link Hans Sedlmeier carried money and messages between Germany and Josef Mengele’s Brazilian protectors. He preserved a communication line despite the dangers of surveillance. A growing burden The repeated journeys and constant complaints wore down his patience. Yet abandoning Josef Mengele risked exposing the family’s long support.

The Secret Revealed The Secret Revealed from "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele". The Secret Revealed A careless disclosure After mentioning his continued assistance at a social gathering, Hans Sedlmeier became the focus of a police search.

The Secret Revealed from "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele". The Secret Revealed A careless disclosure After mentioning his continued assistance at a social gathering, Hans Sedlmeier became the focus of a police search.

The Secret Revealed A careless disclosure After mentioning his continued assistance at a social gathering, Hans Sedlmeier became the focus of a police search. Investigators found correspondence that connected Germany to Brazil. From helper to witness His papers led authorities to the people who knew Josef Mengele’s final hiding place. The network he had maintained for decades ultimately revealed the secret it was meant to protect.

before 1945

1945 to 1949

March 1956

1960s to 1970s

May 1985